Gripper mechanism for printing-presses.



T. G. SHEEHAN. GHIPPER MBGHANISM FOR PRINTING PRBSSES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.27.1$)14 Fatented D60. 29, 193.

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GRIPPEH MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES APPLICATION TILED JAN.27.191-L.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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Way/Presses T. G. SHEEHAN. GRIPPER- MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.27. 1914.

Patented D6C.29,1914.

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T. U. SHEEHAN.

GRIPPER MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED 11.14.27. 1914.

1 1 23,023., Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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THOMAS C. SHEEHAN, 0F ESSEX BELLS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSI GN- MENTS, T0 AMERICAN HIGH SPEED PRESS COMIPANY, 015 NEW YORK, N. Y., A COR- PORATION OF NEW YORK.

mes es.

Specification of Letters latent.

GRIPER MECHANISM FOR PRINTING-TBESSES.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914..

this application filed. January 27, 1914. Serial No. 814L572.

The present invention relates particularly to that class of printing machines known as self-feeding automatic platen presses. In order to do high class work in one or more colors on this kind of a press, a smooth and easy gripper motion is demanded. My invention provides for this feature and also for a ,novel and improved construction and frames of the machine, for

arrangement of parts in such a manner that the noise and vibration incidental to the operation of the machine are reduced, if not.

entirely absent.

In carrying out my invention, I provide simple but effective gripper mechanism, adapted to travel in a direction parallel to the printing surface of the platen.

Other valuable features, as well as a preferred form of mechanism the invention, are disclosed in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, and in which Figure l is a side elevation of a press embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are side views of the gripper mechanism showing the press in its open and closed positions, respectively. Fig. 4: is a View looking toward the platen, mechanism. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of parts of the latter. Fig. 7 is a view of the side of the registering device's opposite that shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 8 is a plan of the same.

The reference numeral 1 indicates the side suitably 'supporting the component parts of the same. The said frames are connected in any suitable and convenient manner. so

2 indicates the main shaft extending transversely of the machine, and to which motion is imparted by means of the gear 3, meshing in any suitable manner.

for carrying outand showing the gripper with the pinion 4:, to which power is applied 5 indicates the bed carrying the inking mechanism of well known construction and of which only the outlines are shown. The bed is pivoted in the frame at 6 and oscillates in the Well known manner through the instrumentality of the connection 7 and crank 8 carried by the shaft 2 on one side of the machine. In the present instance, there is shown a pneumatic feeding device 9, of usual construction, and to which power is applied by means of the hose l0 and air cylinder 11, whose piston is operated by means of the rod 12, carried by the eccentric ring 18, on the shaft 14, to which motion is applied by means of the gear 15 meshing with the aforesaid pinion l. The said gea has a crank to transmit motion to the shaf .6 by means of rod 17 and crank 18. Upon said shaft the delivery gripping mechanism is mounted by means of swinging arms 19, only one of which is seen.

It is not necessary to go into details of the construction or operation of the above parts, inasmuch as the same are well known, and form no part of the invention. Between the side frames and adjacent to the feed is located the registering table 20, hereinafter called the table, which is supported on and between brackets 21. The brackets are pivoted. on a shaft 22, and are adapted to be swung upward, taking the table; .with them, so as to permit-0f an unobst'n cted view of the interior parts of the machine, and to aid in cleaning or when making ready. brackets are held in position by their weights. .Between the brackets and on the tableare mounted the various devices for registering the sheets and placing the same in position for the grippers. The tapes, 24, pass over the surface of the table, ,around rolls 2") and 26. The tapes may be driven in any manner, and carry the sheet from the feed to front registering gages 28. 'The sheet is carriedby the tapes under longitudinal guide bars 30. The front gages 28 are mounted upon a rock shaft 54 which at one side carries a cam roll 55 in engagement with a cam 56. This cam is pivoted on the brackets 21, at 57, and operated by means of Normally thetable and rods and the gripper o seized it.

a forked connection 58, carrying a cam roll 59, co-acting with a cam 60, on the shaft 22. On the pivot 57 is also pivoted a turning lip which is in one piece with the cam 56 above mentioned, and is provided with projections, as 66, upon which the front-gages 28 rest. Between these prO ections the grippers act to seize the sheets'as will appear.

The sheet is fed from the feed 9 on the table, when it travels on top of the tapes, till itreaches the front gages 28. When a sheet has been fed toward the gages 28 and is ready to be acted upon by the grippers, the turning lip turns down and out of the way, inasmuch as it is operated by the means which operates the cam 56. At the same time the cam 56 moves from beneath the cam 55 permitting the roll to move downward, the front gages 28 thus following the movement of the turning lip. This is done in order to permit the-grippers to pass as close to the surface of the platen as possible, and to allow stiff paper to bend into proper position after the grippers have After the sheet has been seized by the grippers and has traveled to the platen the turning lip and the cam 56 again move upward, thus restoring the front gages to their normal position.

The gripping mechanism illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, will now be described. On.a gripper rock shaft, 67, are mounted grippers 68, which set against a gripper bar 69, provided with cut out portions 70, for the delivery grippers. The gripper rock shaft and bar are mounted between two carriages 71, which are pivoted at 72 to a.collar 73, (Fig. 6), fast on reciprocating rods 74 one on either side of the machine. The said rods travel in suitable bearings 75, on the side frame, and motion is imparted to them by means of a bell crank 76 (Fig. 2), pivoted on the frame at 77, and connected to the said rods by means of a link 78. A spring 79 pushes on the short arm of the said bell crank, and tends to move the guide mechanism carried thereon downwardly. A further means for effecting this downward motion is found in a rod 80, pivoted on the bed at 8' and pulling against a projection 82 on the bell crank 76. This pull is made yielding by means of a spring 83. The upward motion of the guide rod and gripping mechanism 0 is caused by the rocking of the bed, which the short 'arm of the bell crank 76 down, hence moving the guide rods up. In order to prevent jars or blows by the-engagement of the bed with the said bell crank, the latter is provided with .friction rolls 84- (only one of which is seen). The inking mechanism is mounted upon a carrier to which is secured a cam 85, said cam moving in unison with the carrier. As .the bed rocks away from the platen, the

pushes into en ga gcment with cam 85 engages one of the rollers 84 in a smooth and easy fashion, thus starting the downward motion of the bell crank. Next a hub 86 on the bed engages the other roll 84, before the cam 85 leaves the first roll in order to rock the bell crank positively and move the grippers up, but this engagement of the hub with the bell crank takes place without any blow inasmuch as the bell crank has been started on its motion by the cam 85. The operation of these parts is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 8.

The gripper mechanism travels in a straight line up and down over the surface of the platen 87, and in its travel its pivotal motion is controlled by means of friction rolls 88, on the carriage 71, running on a movable track 89 which is pivoted on the frame at 90. The said track is provided with rolls 91, which are in engagement with cams 92.0n a shaft 93. When these rolls are on the high part of the cams, the track 89 is parallel with the surface of the platen, hence the gripper mechanism travels in a line parallel thereto. 7 hen the gripper mechanism "is at the top of the platen, the grippers are opened by means of a cam 9& (Fig. 3), acting upon a cam roll (Figs. 5 and 6) mounted upon the gripper shaft 67. Furthermore, in this position, the carriage 71 has turned on its pivots 72 by reason of the rolls 88 now running on the high parts 96 of the track, time bringing the gripper mechanism into the position shown in Fig. 2, where it is ready to seize the sheet.

The cam 94 is mounted upon a vertically reciprocating rod 97, which is pivoted on a lever 98 (Figs. 2 and 3), conveniently mounted in the frame, and which carries a cam roll 99 in engagement with a cam 100, mounted on the shaft 14. From the position shown in Fig. 2, the cam 94 will drop, allowing the grippers to close and seize the edge of the sheet, and as the guide rods are moved down, the carriage will turn on its 101, which tends L In descending to printing position shown in Figs. 3 and 6 from that shown in Fig. 2, a roll 103 carried by the guide rods comes l the high part of a cam 104: mounted adjacent to the cam 92, which slackens the speed of the grippers. As the descending motion is continued, this roll continues to keep in engagement with the cam, until the printing position is reached. The track 89 now recedes to allow the grippers to turn inout of the way .of

the bed, by reason of roll 91 coming on the concentric portion of the cam 92. At this nism is now ready time the roll 88 enters cam aids in starting the ward motion, and thus recesses 107 in the track which add to the motion produced by the cam 92. Thevdescending motion of the gripper rod is stopped by reason of the roll 1% coming on the concentric part of the cam 1, while the sheet is being printed. Vi hen the printing of the sheet is finished a cam 105 mounted on the rod 97 moves up, thus bringing a straight part 106 of the cam in contact withthe gripper-rolls 95, whereby the grippers are opened and the sheet is released ready to be removed from the platen by means of t e delivery gripper. The grippers move out of the way to allow for this by reason of the roll 103 running into recess in the cam 104, thetrack remaining stationary. The gripping mechato travel up to seize the next sheet, and While doing so, the roll 91 again runs on the high part of the cam 92, thus bringing the track into its former position, While the cam 104 moves around and gets readyto receive the roll 103, when the gripper mechanism next moves down. The

a very smooth and .easy action of the gripper mechanismis asthe feed table till .169, 110 and 111,

,With a Worm 16 i,

qsured. Motion transmitted to the shaft 93 by any desired means, as beveled gears 108, shown in Fig. 4. The shaft 112 is suitably supported in brackets I13, 114, shown in Fig. 1, and the shaft 93 is supported in. brackets 115. The grippers are normally kept closed by means of a spring 116, shown tothe left of Fig. 4:.

Suitable means for turning the platen upwardly are provided, and as illustrated, take the following form. ()n the platen shaft 162, is a Worm gear 163, which meshes upon whose shaft is a hand Wheel 16-5, (Fig. 1) By turning the hand Wheel 165 the platen may be moved upwardly and also held firmly in the posiion shown.

Motion is applied to shaft 22 by any means as a train of gears including a gear 166, pinion 167, gear 168 and intermediate gear 169. meshing with the large ear 3. The pinion 16? carries a crank 16 I ig. 7) which connects bymeans of-a rod 170 with 17$, for transmitting motion to the same. a

While I have illustrated and described a preferred form in which myinvention may be embodied, and While I have shown it as it may lie-constructed when used in connection with a particular type of printing machine, I am aware that many modifications may be made therein, and that the invention can be adapted for use with other types of printing machines by any person skilled in the art Without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I dd'notwish to be gripper on the up-.

limited to the particular construction shown and described, but

What I do claim is 1. In a printing machine, the combination of a rock-shaft, front gages thereon, a cam for rocking said shaft, and a turning lip rigidly connected to said cam and movable therewith, said turning lip having projections for supporting the front gages.

2. In a printing machine, the combination of a rock-shaft, front gages thereon spaced apart, a cam for ro king said shaft, a turning lip on said cam having projections registering with said gages, a'gripping device operating jections, and means for rocking the turning lip down when the gripping device approaches the sheet held thereon.

In a printing machine, the combinafion of front gages spaced apart, a turning 1 gzi ges, a gripping device operating between said projections, and means for rocking the turning lip down when the gripping dcvice approaches a sheet held thereon, for rocking the lip back after the sheet has been seized by the gripping device, and a cam rigidly connected to said turning lip to move therewith, said cam being effective to lift the front gages to normal position,

4. In a gripping device for printin machines, the combination of a pair 0 rods longitudinally movable in hearings in the frame of the machine, means for longitudinally reciprocating said rods, a carriage pivotally supported on each rod, a gripper means for swinging said carriages .on their pivots thus a sheet.

5. In a printing machine,the combination of a bed operating mechanism, a bell-crank adapted to be operated thereby, a sliding bar, means connected with said bell-crank forreciprocating said bar, a carriage movably mounted on the bar, and a gripper device mounted on said carriage.

:6. In a printing machine, the combination of a bed operating mechanism, a bell-crank adapted to be operated thereby, a sliding bar, means cmnected with said bell-crank for reciprocatingsaid bar, a carriage movably mounted on the bar, a gripping device mounted on said carriage, and resilient means for forcing direction as to Withdraw the grippers from operative position.

In imprinting machine, the combination of a bed-operating mechanism, a bell-crank adapted to be operated thereby, a sliding bar, means connected with said bell-crank positioning the grippers to seize between said prohaving projections registering with said said bell-crank in such tion of a movable for reciprocating said bar, a carriage movably mounted/ an the bar, a gripper device mounted on sa: d carriage, a spring mounted between said bell-crank and the frame for forcing said bell-crank into such position as to withdraw the gri 'ipers from sheet receiving position, and a rod pivotally mounted on the bed operating means and resiliently connected with said bell-crank, said rod constituting additional means for normally moving the bell-erank in the same direction.

8. In a printing machine, the combination of bed-operatiug means. a lever pivotally mounted on a stationary part of the frame, a gripping device, means connected with the lever for moving the gripping device toward and from sheet receiving position, a sp ing connected with the frame to acting 0.: the lever to withdraw the gripping device from said position. and additional means mounted on the bed operating means and connected with the lever for moving the lever in the same direction.

9. In a printing machine, the combination ofbed-operat-ing means. a lever, a gripping device, means connected with the lever for operating the gripping device. a carrier for the inking mechanism, and a cam on the bed-operating means movable with said carrier and adapted to engage the lever as the bed moves away from the platen to start the grippers into operative position.

10. In a. printing machine, the combination of bed-operating means, a lever. a gripping device, a carrier for the inking mechanism. means connected with the lever for operating the gripping device, a am on the bed-operating means movable with said earrier and adapted to engage the lever as the bed moves away from the platen to start the grippers into operative position in a smooth and easy manner, and a hub on the bed operating means force the. gripping device mto operative position.

11. In a printing machine, the combination,of a gripping device. a movable ele' ment for operating the gripping device, a movable bed, a carrier for the inking mechanism mounted-thereon. a cam moving with said arrier for engaging said element. for operating the gripping device in an easy and smooth manner during the motion of the bed. and means on the bed for thereafter positively moving the said element during the further motion of the bed to force the gripping devices into operative position.

12. In a printing machine the combinabed, a cam movable on the bed, a gripping device, means connected with the gripping device for receiving initial motion from said cam whereby the grippingdevice is started by the motion of ing the grippers for thereafter engaging the cam and means on the bed for completing the motion of the gripping device after the -am ceases to act thereon.

.13. In a. printing machine, in combination, .a frame, a platen, a movable bed mounted on said frame, a sheet gripping device, connections from said bed to said device for yieldingly. ope'ating said device as the bed moves toward the platen, and additional operating means mounted on the frame for yieldingly assisting said movement of the gripping device.

14:. In a printing machine the combination of a movable bed, a movable gripping device, means on gripping device, a spring for yielding y ret'acting the gripping device and i1 rod'pivotally mounted on the bed connected with the gripping device.

15. In a printing machine, the combination of bed-operating mechanism, a sliding rod. means connected with said mechanism for reciprocating said rod, a gripper mechanism connected with the rod and comprising a carriage movable with respect to the rod and means for holding the carriage in parallel position with respect to the rod during its stroke, and for moving the carriage out of such position to operative position at the end of its stroke.

16. In a printing machine, the combination of a reciprocating rod, a carriage movablv mounted thereon, a gripper bar on said carriage, grippers movablymounted on the carriage, means for moving the carriage into position parallel with respect to said rod. means for moving the-carriage out of such position. into sheet receiving position at the end of the stroke, and means for movaway from the gripper bar. 17. In a prmting machine, the combination of a reciprocating rod, a carriage pivotally mounted thereon, a gripper bar on the cz'irriage, grippers pivotally mounted the lever and positively rocking the same to n e arriage, means for moving the rod longitudinally upward, means for partially rotating the carriage on its pivot per limit of the travel of the rod, and means for swinging the grippers away from the gripper bar while the carnage 1s moving on its pivots 18. In axprinting machine, the combina; tion of a reeiprocating rod, a carriage pivotally mounted thereon, a gripper bar on the carriage, grippers pivotally mounted on the carriage. means for moving the carriage on its pivot at the end of said upward movement, and means'tor swinging the grippers the bed operatin the and .yieldingl at the upawa v from the gripper bar while the carriagei is moving on its pivots, the means for moving the carriage on its pivots c0mprising a movable track for engaging the carriage.

tion of a reciprocating rod, a carriage plv- '19. In a printing machine, theconibinw otally mounted thereon, a gripper bar on the carriage, grippers pivotally mounted on per-bar While the carriage ismoving on its pivots, the means for moving said carriage on its pivots comprising a track pivotally secured to the frame of the machine and having a raised portion at one end and adepressed portion at the other end for engaging a PIOJGClJlOIl on said carriage.

20. In a printing machine, the combination of a pair of longitudinally movable members, a carriage pivotally mounted on said members, a gripping device carried by the carriage, ,a cam track pivoted adjacent to the path of movement of said members, means coiiperating With said track to swing said carriage relative to said members, and additional means to move said track about its pivot.

21. In a printing machine, the combination of a longitudinally movable carriage,

means for swinging said carriage at the end of its stroke, grippers pivotally mounted on the carriage, a cam for operating said grippers, a longitudinally movable rod on which said cam is fixed, a lever connected to move said rod longitudinally, and a cam for operating said lever. 22. In a printing machine, the combination of a carriage pivoted upon a movable support, means for reciprocating said support, a gripping mechanism mounted on said carriage, means for opening the grippers at the upper end of the travel ofthe support, means for turning the carriage and grippers relatively to the support at the upper end of the travel into position to receive a fresh sheet, and means for thereafter closing the grippers.

28. In a printing machine, the combmation of a reciprocable carriage, a gripping mechanism mounted on said carriage, and comprising movable grippers, means for ing the grippers, means for moving the carriage and grippers into position for takinga sheet, means for thereafter allowing the grippers'to close and seize a sheet, means for then Withdrawing the carriage, a cam having an eccentric portion for slackening the motion of the carriage before it reaches the end of its stroke, and a low surface for permitting the carriage to move to the end of its stroke, and means for printing on a sheet held by the gripping device.-

In a printing machine, the combination of a carriage, a gripping mechanism mounted hereon, means for reciprocating said "arriage, and a cam adapted to move in the path of a portion of said carriage and slacken the motion of the carriage before it reaches the end of the stroke, and hold it in position for printing on a sheet held by the gripping device.

25. In a printing machine, the combination of a support, a carriage mounted to reciprocate with said support, a gripping mechanism mounted thereon, means for reclprocating the carnage and its support, and

'means for slackeningthe motion of the carriage on its deliverystroke and for there after permitting the carriage to complete the delivery stroke.

26. In a printing machine, the combination of a reciprocating carriage having a gripping device thereon, means for reciproeating the carriage, and a cam adapted to engage the carriage toward the end of its stroke and slacken its motion, the carriage to complete its stroke, and finally to start the carriage on its return stroke.

27. In a printing machine, the combination of a carriage, means for reciprocating said carriage, a gripping mechanism mounted on said carriage, and comprising movable grippers, means for opening the grippers at the end of the stroke of the carriage, means for moving the carriage and grippers into position for taking a sheet, means for thereafter allowing the grippers to close and seize a sheet, means for then Withdrawing the carriage, a cam having an eccentric p0rtion for slackening the motion of the carriage before it reaches the end of its stroke, and a low surface for permitting the carriage to move to the end of its stroke, means for printing on a sheet held by the gripping device, and means for thereafter retracting the grippers and releasing the sheet.

28. In a printing machine, in combination, members movable longitudinally in a straight line, a carriage pivotally mounted on said members and movable therewith. and a rail for guiding said carriage, said rail having a straight portion for guidin the carriage to move in a position paralle. With' respect to said members during the main portion of its stroke and having a recess for permitting the carriage to move backward with respect to said member at the lower end of its stroke.

29. In a'printing machine, the combina-- tion of a carriage, a gripping device mounted on said carriage, means for reciprocating the carriage, said carriage being pivotally mounted. a movable cam rail extending adjacent the path of reciprocation of said carriage for controlling the motion of the then permit trolling the position of the rail and permitmy hand, in the presence of twosubsoribing ting its fetfragtion near the lowerhend of witnesses. the tmve o t e carriageto swin t e gripper device out of the way ofth' bed, said S, C A 5 mil having a recess to permit more rapid Witnesses: retraction of the carriage. JAMEs S. WRIGHT,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set PAUL NATHAN. 

